'It's a real battle': African authors fight for publishing independence

Francophone African books are still very often published by French imprints, which can make them hard to get at home. But there is a growing push for changeWhen Cameroonian author Daniel Alain Nsegbe first saw his debut novel for sale in his home city of Douala, the price was so high “you would have to ask someone to stop eating for two days in order to buy the book”. It was around 16,000 CFA francs (£20); the average monthly salary in Douala is £150. The book, Ceux qui sortent dans la nuit (Those Who Go Out at Night) was published by Grasset, a French imprint.This is not uncommon: Francophone African authors, whether classic or contemporary, are often published by French, not African presses. This arrangement began in colonial times, but continues because of a number of factors that are particular to France. Publishers frequently push for world rights for all books written in French. Many African writers operate without agents, who would usually divide up rights territories on their behalf. Agents are still a new feature on the African literary landscape, meaning that many classics, such as 1953’s L’enfant noir (The African Child) by Guinean author Camara Laye, and Algerian writer Kateb Yacine’s 1956 novel Nedjma, are owned by publishers in France (Plon and Éditions du Seuil respectively). As French publishers continue to control distribution and pricing, classic authors go missing from bookshelves while contemporary authors struggle to get their books in the hands of... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2020-05-14 09:59:14 UTC ]
News tagged with: #rights territories #local readers #sub-saharan africa #books written #world rights #debut novel

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Academia less pivotal to recruiting publishers

Qualifications are less important than they used to be when it comes to recruiting, with more emphasis on potential and inherent talent, Penguin Random House (PRH) HR director Neil Morrison said at a London Book Fair seminar entitled “Challenging Tradition: What Skills are Trending Now?” Jen... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Manga Publishers Try Games, Erotica to Grow Market

The U.S. manga market is growing again and publishers are turning to related products--from prose tie-ins and games to accessories and apparel--to reel in even more consumers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Introducing The Markets: Global Publishing Summit

The Frankfurt Book Fair and Publishing Perspectives are launching a new , international publishing conference called The Markets: Global Publishing Summit The post Introducing The Markets: Global Publishing Summit appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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London Book Fair 2015: Self-Publishing Smashes Through

With self-publishing now a popular part of the London Book Fair, PW checks in with Smashwords founder Mark Coker about what the future holds. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Horobin to join Bonnier Publishing Fiction

James Horobin, previously group sales, marketing and publicity director at Simon & Schuster, is to join the recently launched Bonnier Publishing Fiction division as executive director with responsibility for sales and marketing. Horobin, who left S&S last month, will take up his new... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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More UK publisher deals for Bookmate

Russian ebook subscription service Bookmate has agreed a deal with Bloomsbury, Faber Factory and Harlequin, which will add more than 15,000 backlist titles to its library. Faber Factory will provide Bookmate’s users with access to books from publishers including Atlantic Books, Allison &... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #titan books #oldcastle books #short books #faber factory #allison busby #john blake #history press #pushkin press


Mexican Author Valeria Luisseli Defies Categorization

Mexico's Valeria Luiselli, the London Book Fair's Author of the Day, aversion to embodying any singular cultural or literary tradition. The post Mexican Author Valeria Luisseli Defies Categorization appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air April 15, 2015: Eric Greitens

Eric Greitens, author of 'Resilience: Hard-Won Wisdom for Living a Better Life' (HMH, 9780544323988) will appear on the 'Today Show' and the 'Daily Show' on Thursday, April 16. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Biteback to publish Cameron biography

Biteback will publish an unauthorised biography of Prime Minister David Cameron, written by former Conservative Party deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft and political journalist Isabel Oakeshott. Iain Dale, m.d. At Biteback, signed world rights to Call Me Dave, with plans to publish in October,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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German Author Günter Grass Dies

Both an influential writer and contentious political activist in post-war Germany, Günter Grass died on April 13, 2015. The post German Author Günter Grass Dies appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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London Book Fair 2015: The Changing Scholarly Publisher

At a London Book Fair discussion, moderator Audrey McCulloch (CEO, ALPSP) asked a pointed question: has open access publishing just made scholarly publishing more complicated? Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sony Debuts New DRM for Publishers

In recent years, the big question surrounding digital rights management (DRM) software in publishing has been whether or not publishers should use it at all. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Marketers and Publishers Find Common Ground on Hot-Button Topic: Viewability

This issue is referred to broadly as viewability. Though it has dogged digital media for years, chief marketing officers are now paying attention -- and they've put everyone in the digital ecosystem on alert: Clean things up or we'll spend our money elsewhere.As one result, a cottage industry of... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2015-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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London Book Fair 2015: At Digital Minds, Publishers Urged to Experiment, and Learn

The seventh annual Publishing for Digital Minds Conference kicked off the London Book Fair, with the main exhibits officially opening on Tuesday. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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AWP 2015: Publishing Pros Point Toward Careers in the Book Biz for M.F.A. Grads

A group of publishing professionals from Riverhead, Graywolf, the National Book Foundation, and Coffee House Press, talked to AWP attendees about the promises and pitfalls of pursuing a career in publishing in a panel sponsored by PW. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PP Call for Stories: Spanish and Arabic Publishing Markets

Publishing Perspectives is looking for great stories on the Spanish-language and Arabic book publishing markets. Have you got one to tell? Let us know. The post PP Call for Stories: Spanish and Arabic Publishing Markets appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Phoenix Yard to publish colouring book series

Phoenix Yard Books has acquired the world English rights to publish a series of colouring books from Dutch publisher BBNC. The range, which will be launched in May, includes three books for adults - The One and Only Colouring Book For Adults, The Second One and Only Colouring Book For Adults... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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AWP 2015: Graywolf Press Wins Small Press Award, Celebrates Its Authors on Home Turf

With the Association of Writers & Writing Programs conference taking place in Minneapolis, Graywolf is taking full hometown advantage to celebrate its authors. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers and agents agree to speed up contracts

Publishers and agents have agreed a set of guidelines for negotiating author contracts, following concerns author payments were being delayed.  The Publishers Association (PA) and Association of Authors’ Agents (AAA)  said the guidelines were designed to “speed up the process for the benefit of... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Meet the Authors and Illustrators Behind These Books: Children's Institute 2015

A list of the most recent books by writers attending the author reception, the Scholastic Meet & Treat party, and/or the opening reception with members of #WeNeedDiverseBooks, cosponsored by PW. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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